BORN TO SCULPT 

First sculpture was a life-size bust of a Mohawk Indian at age 10. Introduced to abstraction via Cleveland Museum of Art's collection of Lee Bontecou, ages 8-12. Built multiple 6 foot wooden 2x4 sculptures predating Jackie Ferrara's work, ages 11-13. Declared myself a sculptor at age 17. Built polyurethane core with fiberglass shell sculptures at age 18.

 

Ended an eight year career as a self taught emerging artist at age 18 by entering college and art school. Studied clay figure modeling 2 years. Started welding and steel working third year. Obtained first abandoned warehouse studio one year after college. Leased abandoned and closed factory spaces for studios. Maintained warehouse studios for decades. 

 

All I've done my entire life is build sculpture. It's what I do. It's who I am. 

 

My mother was an actress. I was an apprentice in stage set design and construction from ages 8-12 helping to build her stage sets and a journeyman from 12-15. She passed away from breast cancer when I was 15.

 

Influences learned in college art history classes: Tony Smith's geometry. Mark DiSuvero's strength in form. Robert Smithson's earth working. David Smith's open form. Dan Flavin's lighting. Jeff Koon's marketing prowess. Frank Stella's pulling form from piles. Richard Serra's guts in ego. Anthony Caro's assemblage spontaneity. John Chamberlain's crushing audacity.

 

A few shows, gallery representations, public art installations, and museum collections along the way but mostly a long string of private studio tours and semi-annual public open house studio parties for the last twenty plus years have prevailed. Send an email to MohlerArtworks@gmail.com to obtain invitations to see a jaw dropping collection of  sculpture.

 

Thank you,

Chris Mohler